Search Our Site

Skin Mole Removal Procedures in Indianapolis and Carmel

Turkle & Associates Plastic Surgery and Dermatology

Procedures to Remove Moles Indianapolis and Carmel IN

In our practice, people who want advice about moles or who are interested in mole removal procedures are seen by Turkle & Associates board certified dermatologist, Dr. Matt Strausburg.

We invite you to continue reading for frequently asked questions and more information about moles and mole removal.

What Are Moles?

Generally, moles are dark spots on the skin, but they can have a wide range of appearances. Moles develop when skin cells that produce color (called melanocytes) grow close together instead of being distributed evenly across the skin.

Who Gets Moles?

Everyone has moles and they are considered normal–in fact, some people call them “beauty marks”. Most moles appear during the first 20 years of a person’s life, although some may not appear until later in life. They tend to be more frequent in those with fair skin and can be found in numbers of 40 or more.

Sun exposure can darken moles and increase the number of moles. To reduce this, cover your skin with clothing, wear a hat as well as sunglasses and wear a high quality sunscreen.

We do carry high quality sunscreens you can buy in-person at our office, by calling 317-848-0001 or at our online store on our page for sunscreens here.

Mole Removal Procedures

Most procedures to remove moles take only a short time and can be performed in our office.

Removal of Normal Moles

A person may wish to get rid of moles that are in areas of trauma, where clothing can irritate them, or simply because they are unattractive. The most common methods of removal include numbing the spot and then shaving the mole off, or for some moles, cutting out the entire mole and stitching the area closed.

Removal of Abnormal Moles

If there is any question about a mole, Dr. Strausburg will remove it, or part of it, so that thin sections from the mole can be cut and examined under a microscope.

If the mole was only partially removed and it is found to be cancer, then the entire mole and an extra margin of skin will need to be removed. This assures the entirely of the cancerous skin is removed.

Sometimes a mole will recur after it is removed. If a removed mole does begin to reappear, the patient should return to the office.

After examining your moles, Dr. Strausburg will tell you if it is a normal mole or an abnormal mole and let you know the best mole removal procedure for you.

More About Moles

Moles can be flat or be raised from the skin and be very noticeable. They vary in size and shape, may appear in groups and some moles may develop hairs. In terms of color, moles can be tan, pink, brown or black in color, like a freckle.

Each mole has its own growth pattern. Over time, moles usually enlarge and change slowly, becoming more raised and lighter in color, but some will not change at all. Most moles will slowly disappear, seeming to fade away. Others will become raised so far from the skin that they may develop a small “stalk” and eventually fall off or are rubbed off.

In terms of your health, most moles are nothing to worry about. However, certain types of moles can be dangerous as they develop into a form of skin cancer known as malignant melanoma.

Sunburns may increase the risk of melanoma. Additionally, people with many more moles than average (greater than 100) are also more at risk for melanoma.

What Are the Different Types of Moles?

The Normal Mole
A normal mole is one that is harmless and has little to no chance of developing into skin cancer.

Congenital Moles (Nevi)
Congenital Nevi are moles present at birth. These moles may be slightly more likely to develop a melanoma than moles which appear after birth. When a congenital nevus is more than eight inches across, it poses greater risk for developing melanoma.

Clark’s Nevi
Clark’s Nevi, also know as dysplastic nevi or atypical moles, are larger than average (usually larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape. They tend to have uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, sometimes reddish, uneven borders or black dots at edge. These moles often run in families.

Persons with dysplastic nevi may have a slightly greater-than-average chance of developing malignant melanoma. These people should be seen regularly by a dermatologist to check for any changes that might indicate skin cancer. They should also learn to do regular self-exams

ABCD’s of Melanoma

Recognizing the early warning signs of malignant melanoma is important. You should watch your moles and remember the ABCD’s of melanoma when examining them.

A stands for ASYMMETRY, when one half of the mole doesn’t match the other half.

B stands for BORDER, when the border or edges of the mole are ragged, blurred or irregular.

C stands for COLOR, when the color of the mole is not the same throughout or if it has shades of tan, brown, black, red, white or blue.

D stands for DIAMETER, when the diameter of a mole is larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil eraser.

If a mole displays any of these signs, it should be checked promptly by a dermatologist.

Should I Be Worried About My Moles?

Occasionally, a mole may become a cancerous growth. Therefore, it’s best to get medical advice if you notice a mole that does not follow the normal pattern and seems suspicious.

Dr. Strausburg may be able to assure you that the mole is harmless merely by examining it and he will let you know if he thinks you need further procedures.

Do You Take Insurance For Mole Removal?

Yes, we do take insurance for mole evaluation and mole removal. We suggest you contact your plan administrator to determine if we participate with your insurance plan.

Contact Us About Mole Removal Procedures

If you have more questions about treatment or removal of moles and would like further information, or if you are ready to schedule an appointment, contact Turkle & Associates Plastic Surgery and Dermatology by clicking here for our online quick-contact email form or feel free to call us at 317-848-0001.

To be advised of special prices, sale events and other updates, you can click here to sign up for our monthly newsletter.

*Fees are approximate only and subject to physical examination and consultation. We do try to keep the fees on our website up to date, however be advised fees are subject to change without notice. Please feel free to inquire about any price changes.

Turkle & Associates Plastic Surgery and Dermatologys’ video content is for informational and educational purposes only. Viewing of these videos should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis or a treatment recommendation. As with any health concern, always seek a consultation regarding a medical condition. Any questions concerning the content of these videos may be directed to Turkle & Associates Plastic Surgery and Dermatology at drturkle@turklemd.com or 317-848-0001.

Moles was last modified: November 20th, 2018 by admin

Contact Us

Email me news and special offersFor more special offers, add me to the Turkle VIP Text Group